Golf cart



L. P. VACHON 3,008,726

GOLF. CART Nov. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11 1959 LizaamRVaoiaan, by flax, CW 1 M fizz- 43 9 Nov. 14, 1961 L. P. VACHON 3,008,726

GOLF CART Filed May 11. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 60 I l. 5a 04 V Z I} 64 A 59 48 I 6 aa a; A 5 I E 5 w a0 United States Patent 3,008,726 GOLF CART Linus P. Vachon, 151 Warren St., Newton Centre, Mass. Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,265 6 Claims. (Cl. 28047.19)

This invention relates to golf carts, which are devices used to carry golf clubs. The cart is either drawn or pushed by the player or by a caddy, if the player chooses to employ one. In the design of a golf cart the features most appreciated by the player are the ease with which the cart may be propelled and the accessibility of the golf clubs.

While several brands of golf carts have found general acceptance in the market, all of the carts heretofore made, as far as I am aware, have included a pair of wheels of relatively small diameter and wide tread mounted on a folding framework. The prior preferred construction has included a support adapted to receive a conventional golf bag. Other carts have included special compartmented structures into which the clubs may be individually placed. One patented structure discloses a single large wheel with the golf bag positioned horizontally thereover, but this device is unstable in use and has found no acceptance in the market.

One of the principal objections, however, to existing carts is the effort required to pull them over the course. This is due principally to the small Wheels which have been considered necessary to permit the folding thereof close to the bag when the outfit is to be stored or transported in an automobile. A further objection to the present carts is that the combined weight of the cart, golf bag and clubs is on the heavy side so that an appreciable effort is required in lifting and carrying the entire unit to a storage position.

These disadvantages have been substantially overcome in my construction in which I use two relatively large wheels relatively closely spaced on fixed axles as distinguished from the small widely spaced foldable wheels of the prior art. The two large wheels roll far easier over golfing terrain than the small wheels, and hence the player during the course of the round will spend less effort in the transportation of his clubs.

A further advantage found in my construction that is not available in the golf carts of the prior art is the inclusion of a seat which is a fixed permanent part of the unit and on which the player may sit at any time. Golf as it is now played, especially on public courses, requires on many occasions long waits between shots, and in fact an eighteen-hole round may often take as much as four hours or longer. It is therefore a real advantage to the player to be able to sit down whenever the occasion presents itself.

Another object of my invention is to provide club carrying elements so arranged that the irons and woods will be supported with the heads thereof plainly visible to the player so that proper selection, removal and repositioning may be easily accomplished. Furthermore, my construction makes it possible to pick up the entire unit with all of the clubs in place and to tip it on its side in a storage position as, for example, in the trunk of an automobile without the clubs becoming dislodged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby the clubs are carried in a position in which, when the cart is being pushed or pulled along the golf course, the combined center of gravity of the cart frame and clubs will be not far from a position over the axle of the wheels. By this arrangement, the wheels carryvsubstantially all of the vertical load, and the players efforts may be directed solely toward pushing or pulling the load, which effort is minimized through the use "ice of the two large wheels. It should be understood, however, that while the wheels are large they are nevertheless light with corresponding small inertia and the tread, while relatively narrow, is nevertheless when combined with the tread of the frame adequate to maintain vertical stabflity.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which- FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cart.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation. v

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section on the line 55 of FIG. 1 showing the manner in which a knitted sock may be used to protect the head of a wood club.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section on the line 66 of FIG. 4

showing the manner of supporting the woods and irons.

As can be seen in the drawings, the cart comprises a pair of wheels 2 and 4 which are relatively large and closely spaced. In a preferred form, the diameter of these Wheels will be in the order of twenty inches and the tread preferably will be between six and fifteen inches, although it may be more or less but in no case greater than the wheel diameter. I have found that inexpensive bicycle wheels with wire spokes, pneumatic tires and ball bearing hubs are quite suitable for this purpose. The wheels are mounted on a common axle 6 and a spacer 8 maintains them the proper distance apart.

The outer ends of axle 6 extend through appropriate portions of a pair of side frames 10 and 12, each of which has been flattened and drilled as at 14 (see FIG. 2). Nuts 16 are applied to the axle ends, thereby holding the frames securely with respect to the wheels.

The two side frames 10 and 12, identical in configuration, are joined at the handle only. The frame is preferably made of one-inch aluminum tubing which lends itself to bending, but at the same time is strong enough to meet the requirements. To facilitate the bending operation, the frame may be made of several pieces.

Frame 10, starting at the end 18, runs forward horizontally as at 20 to the axle 6 and then curves upwardly and rearwardly as at 22, 24 and 26 to run horizontally to the rear as at 28. The frame then turns downwardly at 30 into a vertical section 32, which crosses part 20 either on the outside as shown at '34 or on the inside if it is desired to increase the spacing of forward parts of the frames. The frame then turns to the rear in a semicircular part 36 to extend upwardly as at 38 passing adjacent and outside or inside the end 18. The frame thus far described may, for convenience in manufacture, be divided into two parts, such division being, for example, at 40, which point is located approximately under the seat. The section 42 provides a handle portion or a part to which an additional handle (not shown) may be attached.

The parts corresponding to those just described with respect to frame 10 have been numbered with the same numbers primed on frame 12, such numbers being 18', 20, 22, 24', 26', 28', 30', 32, 34, 36, 38' and 40'.

The ends 18 and 18' and the vertical portions 38 and 38 which pass the ends on the outside thereof are firmly connected by a horizontal crosswise extending bar 44 which has its ends threaded and appropriate nuts screwed thereon.

A second bar 46 extends across the upper part of portions 38 just below the curved handle section 42 and is similarly secured by nuts on its ends. I

Another bar 48 extends through the vertical portions 32 and 32' and the horizontal portions 20 and 20'. This bar likewise will have nuts on its ends and preferably nuts on the inner sides of portions 20 and 20 so that the spacing thereof may be securely maintained. Another bar 50 is positioned at a higher level through the portions 32 and 32' to add further rigidity to the construction. Still another bar 52 extends between the portions 28 and 28, which gives rigidity to the upper portions of the frames.

Running between bars 48 and 50 are a pair of vertical fiat metal strips 54 and 56 which have suitable holes near their ends through which the bars 48 and 50 pass. These vertical strips serve the purpose of laterally locating the shafts of some of the golf clubs.

The bars 44, 46, 48 and 52 also serve as supporting elements for the golf clubs, and the manner in which they serve this purpose will be described in more detail later.

A seat 58 is provided in the form of a sheet of material, preferably aluminum, which extends across the frame from portion 28 to portion 28. and is bolted thereto by four bolts 60. This seat, which provides further support for the frame, is located at a height which enables any person of normal stature to sit comfortably thereon. He may sit with his legs at the side of the frame or, if preferred, he may straddle the frame. The seat, it will be noted, is located longitudinally between the points of engagement of the wheels 2 and 4 with the ground and the points of engagement of the supporting areas of sections 36 and'36' with the ground so that there is adequate stability.

At the curved forward portions 26 and 26' there is a crosswise extending plate 62 secured thereto by bolts 64. This plate 62 has therethrough a plurality of holes 66, and in the ordinary case there will be four such holes. These holes are to receive the wood clubs 68 and the lateral and vertical spacing of the holes is such that the shafts of the wood clubs may pass between the wheels 2 and 4 and the heads of the clubs will at the same time be far enough apart so that any wood club may be removed without interference by the others. Plate 62 may be of any suitable material, but in the preferred form I have made it of metal and have lined the holes 66 with suitable material, such as a knitted sock 67, so that the necks of the wood clubs when positioned therein will not be damaged.

The method of supporting the clubs is as follows: As shown in FIG. 6, the irons 70 are carried by bars 46 and 52. The iron clubs are positioned on the frame by passing the shaft of each club grip first over bar 52, under seat 58 and thence over bar 46. Thus the grip ends of the iron clubs rest on bar 46 and the necks of the irons rest on bar 52 with the heads indicated at 72 hanging downwardly at a position directly behind the upper part of plate 62. The length of bars 52 and 46 is such that a full set of nine irons may be placed thereon in sideby-side relation. The irons cannot move to the rear because of the position of the heads hanging down over bar 52, and they cannot move forwardly because of plate 62. On the other hand, the player on wishing to use a club can see the club he wants by noting the number thereof which is customarily stamped on the sole of the iron. This number will appear above the upper edge of plate 62. Then on lifting the head 72 of the selected iron, the toe of the iron will clear the upper edge of plate 62 whereupon the club may be drawn forwardly and removed from the cart. After the shot has been played, the club can be readily replaced.

The wood clubs 68 are mounted in a somewhat different fashion as follows: Two of the wood clubs are sup ported by the plate 62 and the bar 44. These clubs pass through the upper pair of holes 66 with the shafts extending to the rear and downwardly and passing between strips 54 and 56 with the grip ends resting on bar 44. The other two wood clubs 68 are positioned in the lower two holes of plate 62 with the shafts passing between the guide strips 54 and 56 and resting on bar 48. The

shafts of all of the wood clubs pass between the upper parts of the wheels 2 and 4 and are prevented from engaging the wheels by the confining action of spacers 54 and 56.

Additional refinements (not shown) may be made to my construction as may seem expedient as, for example, the attachment of a compartment for balls and tees and another compartment for small articles such as sweaters and gloves. The knitted tubular elements 67 may be secured as shown or otherwise to the openings 66 through which the shafts will be inserted. The wood clubs, when in final position, will have the heads '74 within these'tubua lar elements thereby to protect the finish of the heads in a manner in accord with current practice.

When the clubs have been positioned in the frame in the manner noted, the player may push or pull thecart by gripping the handle part 42 and lifting it a few inches off the ground. This rotates the frame through a small angle which will be of a varying amount depending on the users height and reach. In any event, regardless of the players physical characteristics, the amount through which the frame will be .angularly turned will bring the combined center of gravity of the frame and all of the golf clubs to a position where it will be nearly over the axle 6. Ordinarily this position will be slightly toward the handle 42 so that a very small amount of Weight will be carried by the players hand. The bulk of the weight, however, is carried by the two large, easily rolling wheels. It is surprisingly easly to push or pull this golf cart in comparison with the carts of the prior art which have the small widely spaced solid tire wheels. 0n reaching the ball at the next position of play, the handle is lowered so that the cart is supported at four points, namely, the bottoms of the two wheels and the bottoms of the supporting areas of sections 36 .and 36'. In the event that the terrain is uneven, then at least three point sup port is always available between the two wheels and the supporting areas 36 and 36'. In either case the center of gravity of the frame and clubs will be within the rectangular or triangular base.

When it is desired to transport the cart and clubs in an automobile, the unit may be picked up and carried by placing the hand under the seat 58. If the unit is placed in an automobile, it may be tipped on its side, but in so doing the clubs will remain sufiiciently in position so that when the cart is again restored to vertical the clubs will be still on their supports.

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A golf cant comprising two parallel spaced wheels having a common axle, a pair of substantially identical frames of metal tubing mounted in spaced relation on.

the outer sides of said wheels, said fnames extending forwardly of said axle, higher than said wheels and downwardly to the rear of said wheels, .to engage the ground at laterally spaced apart areas, a handle associated with said frames, a seat extending crosswise between said.

frames above the rear portions of said wheels, crosswise extending golf club supporting elements connecting said frames, some of said elements being forward of said axle and other elements being to the rear of and below the tops of said wheels whereby golf clubs may be positioned on said elements with the necks of said clubs resting on said some elements and the shafts resting on said other elements, with the shafts sloping downwardly.

2. A golf cart as set forth in claim 1 and a pair of spaced vertical strips located to the rear of said wheels and closer together than the wheels, said strips acting to confine the shafts of golf clubs therebetween so that the shafts cannot engage the inner sides of said wheels.

3. A golf cart comprising a pair of wheels having a common axle and whose diameter is greater. than the tread, a tubular frame having spaced sides which straddle said wheels and are connected to said axle, each said frame side having a horizontal part extending rearwardly from said axle, a part curving forwardly and upwardly from said axle, an upper part extending generally horizontally, above said wheels, at part extending downwardly from said upper horizontal part to the rear of said wheels to the ground and thence upwardly to join the other side of said frame, a plurality of transverse elements connecting said frame parts, a transverse seat on said frame higher than said wheels, and means for supporting a plurality of golf clubs on said frame with the shafts extending longitudinally of said cart and between the spaced sides of said frame.

4. A golf cart comprising two spaced axially aligned wheels in which the tread is less than the wheel diameter axle means for rotativel-y mounting said wheels, a frame mounted on said axle means and straddling said wheels, said frame having two fixed supporting members having ground engaging areas which will contact the ground at a position to the rear of said wheels, said frame having a plurality of crosswise extending elements for supporting a plurality of golf clubs with the shafts thereof extending longitudinally of said cart and between said wheels, one of said crosswise extending elements being located on said frame forward of said wheel axle means and on which the necks of the golf clubs may be positioned with the heads of said clubs hanging downwardly in front of said one crosswise extending element and another crosswise extending element positioned closely in front of the depending heads of said golf clubs as they rest on said first crosswise extending element whereby when said frame is tilted forwardly said golf clubs are prevented from sliding forwardly from their position on said first crosswise extending element.

5. A golf cart comprising two spaced wheels in which the tread is less than the wheel diameter, axle means for rotatively mounting said wheels, a frame mounted on said axle means, said frame having two fixed supporting members with ground engaging areas spaced apart a distance greater than said tread to contact the ground at positions to the rear of said wheels, a plurality of crosswise extending elements carried by said frame for supporting a plurality of golf clubs with the shafts thereof extending longitudinally of said cart and between said wheels, a seat on said frame above said wheels and located longitudinally between the points of engagement of said wheels with the ground and said ground engaging areas of said supporting members, said seat so located that the shafts of golf clubs carried by said elements will be under said seat, some of said crosswise extending elements being located forward of said wheel axle means whereby the heads of the golf clubs may be supported by said elements forward of said axle means with the shafts of said clubs extending to the rear beyond said wheels and in a downward direction and supported by other crosswise extending elements and with the composite center of gravity, of said frame and clubs to the rear of said axle means whereby by raising the rear of said frame through an angle of less than degrees the said composite center of gravity of said frame and clubs may be brought to a position above said axle means.

6. A golf cart comprising two parallel spaced wheels, axle means for said wheels having a common axis of rotation, a pair of substantially identical frames of rigid tubing mounted in spaced relation on the outer sides of said wheels, said frames extending forward of said axle means, higher than said wheels and downwardly to the rear of said wheels, to engage the ground at laterally spaced apart areas, a handle associated with said frames, a seat extending crosswise between said frames above the rear portions of said wheels, crosswise extending golf club supporting elements connecting said frames, some of said elements being forward of said axle and other elements being to the rear of and below the tops of said wheels whereby golf clubs may be positioned on said elements with the necks of said clubs resting on said some elements and the shafts resting on said other elements, with the shafts sloping downwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,208,891 Bowling July 23, 1940 2,399,518 Strain Apr. 30, 1946 2,662,775 Goldman Dec. 15, 1953 2,757,012 Leffler July 31, 1956 2,824,748 Schoenberger Feb. 25, 1958 

